general assignment of rents and leases

Assignment of Rents – What, Why, and How?

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Madelaine prescott, esq., share this post:.

• November 29, 2023

These days, almost all commercial loans include an Assignment of Rents as part of the Deed of Trust or Mortgage. But what is an Assignment of Rents, why is this such an important tool, and how are they enforced?

An Assignment of Rents (“AOR”) is used to grant the lender on a transaction a security interest in existing and future leases, rents, issues, or profits generated by the secured property, including cash proceeds, in the event a borrower defaults on their loan. The lender can use the AOR to step in and directly collect rental payments made by the tenant. For an AOR to be effective, the lender’s interest must be perfected, which has a few fairly simple requirements. The AOR must be in writing, executed by the borrower, and recorded with the county where the property is located. Including an AOR in the recorded Deed of Trust or Mortgage is the easiest and most common way to ensure the AOR meets these requirements should it ever need to be utilized.

When a borrower defaults, lenders can take advantage of AORs as an alternative to foreclosure to recoup their investment. With a shorter timeline and significantly lower costs, it is certainly an attractive option for lenders looking to get defaulted borrowers back on track with payments, without the potential of having to take back a property and attempting to either manage it or sell it in hopes of getting your money back out of the property. AORs can be a quick and easy way for the lender to get profits generated by the property with the goal of bringing the borrower out of default. But lenders should carefully monitor how much is owed versus how much has been collected. If the AOR generates enough funds so that the borrower is no longer in default, the lender must stop collecting rents generated by the property.

Enforcement of an AOR can also incentivize borrowers to work with the lender to formulate a plan, as many borrowers rely on rental income to cover expenses related to the property or their businesses. Borrowers are generally more willing to come to the table and negotiate a mutual, amicable resolution with the lender in order to protect their own investment. A word of warning to lenders though: since rental income is frequently used to pay expenses on the property, such as the property manager, maintenance, taxes, and other expenses, the lender needs to ensure they do not unintentionally hurt the value of the property by letting these important expenses fall behind. This may hurt the lender’s investment as well, as the property value could suffer, liens could be placed on the property, or the property may fall into disrepair if not properly maintained. It is also important for lenders to be aware of the statutes surrounding the payment of these expenses when an AOR is being used, as some state’s statutes require the lender to pay certain property expenses out of the collected rents if requested by the borrower.

In addition to being shorter and cheaper than foreclosure, AORs can be much easier to enforce. In California, the enforcement of an AOR is governed by California Civil Code §2938. This statute specifies enforcement methods lenders can use and restrictions on use of these funds by the lender, among other things. Under CA Civil Code §2938(c), there are 4 ways to enforce an AOR:

• The appointment of a receiver;
• Obtaining possession of the rents, issues, profits;
• Delivery to tenant of a written demand for turnover of rents, issues, and profits in the correct form; or
• Delivery to assignor of a written demand for the rents, issues, or profits.

One or more of these methods can be used to enforce an AOR. First, a receiver can be appointed by the court, and granted specific powers related to the AOR such as managing the property and collecting rents. They can have additional powers though; it just depends on what the court orders. This is not the simplest or easiest option as it requires court involvement, but this is used to enforce an AOR, especially when borrowers or tenants are uncooperative. Next is obtaining possession of the rents, issues, profits, which is exactly as it seems; lenders can simply obtain actual possession of these and apply the funds to the loan under their AOR.

The third and fourth options each require delivery of a written demand to certain parties, directing them to pay rent to the lender instead of to the landlord. Once the demand is made, the tenant pays their rent directly to the lender, who then applies the funds to the defaulted loan. These are both great pre-litigation options, with advantages over the first two enforcement methods since actual possession can be difficult to obtain and courts move slowly with high costs to litigate. The written demands require a specific form to follow called the “Demand To Pay Rent to Party Other Than Landlord”, as found at CA Civil Code §2938(k). There are other notice requirements to be followed here, so it is essential to consult with an experienced attorney if you are considering either of these options. California Civil Code §2938 specifically provides that none of the four enforcement methods violate California’s One Action Rule nor the Anti-Deficiency Rule, so lenders can confidently enforce their AORs using the above methods with peace of mind that they are not violating other California laws.

Whether you are looking to originate a new loan, or you are facing a default by your borrower, understanding what an Assignment of Rents is and how it operates can be extremely beneficial. Enforcing an AOR can be an easier option than foreclosure and can help promote a good relationship with your borrower when handled correctly. If you have any questions about AORs, or need further details on how to enforce them, Geraci is here to help.

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Assignment of Rents & Leases

Assignment of rents and leases in business and real estate transactions.

An “Assignment of Rents and Leases” is a crucial legal instrument that significantly impacts commercial and residential real estate, and mergers and acquisitions of real estate. Having a properly drafted and executed assignment means the rights and assets that are transferred give the new party (the assignee) the right to receive payments.

What is an assignment of rents and leases?

An assignment of rents and leases is a legal agreement in which the individual or company entitled to receive payments transfers that right to another party. Most often, this occurs (1) when a property owner hires a property manager, or (2) in acquisitions, such as a property management company selling their accounts to another property management company or a commercial landlord selling their portfolio to a buyer.

How is an assignment of rents and leases used?

This arrangement is often utilized in business sales, account sales, financing, and investment transactions as a means of securing debt or protecting the interests of the lender or property owner.

In the financing context, an assignment often grants the lender or assignee the authority to collect and apply the rents from the property should the borrower default on their loan; this is important when the borrower collateralizes real estate in order to receive the loan. In a property management context, an assignment often serves to effectively transfer management rights to the new company.

An assignment of rents and leases is probably most commonly used in a commercial real estate context when there is a sale of a commercial property, or in the residential real estate context when there is a change in property managers.

What terms should be included in an assignment of rents and leases?

Certain components should be included in a proper assignment. Here are a few of the foundational terms for an assignment of rents and leases:

• Parties. All parties should be clearly identified and defined. This can include the borrower, lender, assignee, assignor, successor, etc.
• Property description. The real estate parcel(s) involved in the assignment should be described by legal description, street address, and more.
• Lease terms, rents, and disclosures. The actual lease agreements that are being transferred to the new landlord, property manager, lender, etc. should be provided to the assignor/successor, along with an easy-to-read schedule of rents and other crucial details per parcel or premises.
• Rights and obligations. Each party should have their rules, permissions, and contractual rights and obligations outlined in the assignment language. The rights and obligations of each stakeholder will be widely varied based on the needs and financial position of each party, the existing leases being assigned, and the specifics of the subject properties.

Best Commercial Real Estate Attorneys in Oklahoma

It is crucial to engage an attorney with experience in properly negotiating, drafting, and executing assignments of rents and leases. They can guide you through the process, ensuring that the assignment is tailored to your specific needs and complies with all relevant legal requirements. The attorneys of Avenue Legal Group have the experience you need and want in your transaction. Contact our firm to discuss your transaction, assignment of rents and leases, or other real estate documentation.

Looking for local counsel in Oklahoma for your commercial real estate transaction? Our firm frequently works with attorneys, investors, and lenders from outside the state. Contact us by call, text, email, or website submission to discuss your matter.

Other helpful information:

• Commercial Real Estate Transactions in Oklahoma
• Due Diligence in Oklahoma Real Estate Transactions
• Essential Terms for Every Commercial Lease
• Attorney for Real Estate Contract Review
• Estate Planning
• Real Estate and Investing

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Assignment of Leases and Rents (Pro-Lender) | Practical Law

Assignment of Leases and Rents (Pro-Lender)

Practical law standard document 9-555-4236  (approx. 31 pages).

• What is an Assignment of Rents?

WHAT IS AN ASSIGNMENT OF RENTS?

An assignment of rent is a binding contract between a lender and a borrower stipulating that in the event the borrower defaults on the mortgage, the lender will be entitled to collect any rent payments made by a tenant occupying the property. If the lender is aware that the borrower intends to use the mortgaged property as a rental property, the lender may include an assignment of rents clause in the mortgage agreement to further protect its interest. A lender may choose to enter a general assignment of rents or a specific assignment of rents.

In a general assignment of rents, the agreement is binding on all future leases. A specific assignment of rents is only binding on the specific parties listed in the agreement. In the context of a real estate transaction, an assignment of rents, whether general or specific, may be registered on title. An assignment of rent may also be registered under the Personal Property Security Act as a secured interest. An assignment of rents is typically only deleted from the title when the corresponding mortgage is discharged and paid in full.

Contact us if you require legal assistance with your real estate transaction. Our real estate law team has the experience and knowledge to assist you throughout every step of the transaction.

Disclaimer: The information contained in this article is not to be construed as legal advice. The content is drafted and published only for the purpose of providing the public with general information regarding various real estate and business law topics. For legal advice, please contact us.

About the Author:

Shahriar Jahanshahi is the founder and principal lawyer at Jahanshahi Law Firm with a practice focus on representing business star-ups and investors in the province of Ontario. For further information about Shahriar Jahanshahi, click here .

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Assignment of Rents in Residential Real Estate Transactions

When discussing a mortgage product with your broker, you will be required to disclose certain information so that the mortgage may be crafted in accordance with your specific needs. As part of this task, you will be required to disclose whether the property will be your primary residence or an investment. Where borrowers own a property that is or may be leased in the future, most lenders will require that either a general assignment of rents or a specific assignment of rents be secured against the borrower’s property in addition to the secured mortgage.

In most cases, lenders will have borrowers execute the general or specific assignment of rents in a form of a separate document however, some lenders choose to incorporate an assignment of rents clause within the mortgage agreement itself. Even if the mortgage document is silent about assigning rents, the lender’s right to receive rental income will be inserted into the mortgage as incidents of ownership (the retainment of the right to collect rent). Both the general and specific assignment of rents provide a degree of financial protection for a lender as both entitle them to collect rental income from the borrower’s tenant(s) if the borrower defaults on the mortgage.

The specific assignment of rents applies where the lender is only interested in a specific lease(s). This arrangement may be appropriate in situations where a property has one tenant under a long-term lease or where multiple lenders are taking security in a particular property and wish to divide specific leases and income derived from each. Once such a lease(s) expires or terminates, the lender will no longer be entitled to any rental income from subsequent new leases.

On the opposite end of the spectrum is the general assignment of rents . Once implemented, not only does it give the lender the right to rental income from current or future tenants and leases but it also provides the lender with the ability to exercise all of the rights of a landlord under any prevailing or new leases, assignments, or subleases. This type of arrangement is a more popular choice with lenders as it provides synoptic security.

Like a mortgage, both general and specific assignment of rents are usually registered against title to a property as a notice under s. 78 of the Land Titles Act [1] .

I hope that this article has provided you with some helpful information. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me at [email protected] .

[1] R.S.O. 1990, c. L.5

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A Banker Asked Us: General vs Specific Assignments Of Rents And Leases In Ontario

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Q: What is the difference between a general assignment of rents and leases and a specific assignment of rents and leases, and when should I include them in my term sheet for a commercial real estate financing of an Ontario property?

A:  In situations where a borrower owns real property in Ontario that either is or will be leased to third party tenants, a lender should consider obtaining either a general assignment of rents and leases or a specific assignment of rents and leases in addition to a mortgage on the secured property. Like a mortgage, an assignment of rents and leases should be registered against title to the subject property, and in addition, should be registered under the applicable personal property security legislation as the rents and leases that are being secured by the assignment fall within the definition of personal property under that legislation. 1

An assignment of rents and leases, be it a general assignment of rents and leases or a specific assignment of rents and leases, provides a lender with two principal benefits which may be realized by the lender after an event of default:

• it permits the lender to receive the rent payments that the borrower/landlord  would otherwise be entitled to, and this revenue stream from the tenants is a significant asset that should be secured; and,
• it permits the lender to step into the shoes of the borrower/landlord and exercise all of the rights and remedies available to the landlord to ensure that the full benefit and value of the lease is realized by the lender, which includes for example, the right to demand payment in the event of non-payment of rent by a tenant and to assign the lease to a purchaser in the event of a power of sale proceeding.

The only difference between a general assignment of rents and leases and a specific assignment of rents and leases is the revenue streams and leases to which they apply. A general assignment of rents and leases applies to all present and future rental income and leases in respect of a particular property. Once in place, a general assignment of rents and leases gives the lender a right to the rental income and the ability to exercise all of the rights of the landlord under a lease in respect of all leases of the property, including but not limited to any new leases, subleases or assignments of lease entered into after the assignment is granted and registered. In contrast to this, a specific assignment of rents and leases only applies to leases which are specifically listed in the document. In the event that any of the specifically listed leases expire or are terminated, and/or a new lease or sublease is put in place, the specific assignment of leases will not apply to this new lease or sublease and the lender will have no right to the rental income or rights resulting from the new lease or sublease.

In most lending situations, the lender will prefer a general assignment of rents and leases as it provides the most comprehensive security. The lender will have security over all rental income, and be able to exercise the rights of the landlord, regardless of who the tenants are in the future, or what leases the borrower has in place at the time of default under the terms of the loan or credit facility. However, where there is a principal or anchor tenant that represents a preponderance of the rental income, and/or the borrower objects to a general assignment of rents and leases securing all rents and leases as too broad a security interest, the lender may only be interested in securing the rental income and landlord rights associated with a specific principal or anchor lease, or a particular group of leases. In such a situation, a specific assignment of rents and leases may be a reasonable compromise position for a lender to adopt. Alternatively, in situations where multiple lenders are taking security in a particular parcel of real property, specific assignments of rents and leases allow the various lenders to divide the rental income and leases among themselves, with each lender only obtaining security in a specifically agreed upon lease or group of leases.

1. Some financial institutions have chosen to incorporate into their Standard Charge Terms for their mortgages various provisions that serve as a general assignment of rents, and they do not register a separate general assignment of rents as a result.  

The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.

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Assignment of Lease

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What is an assignment of lease.

The assignment of lease is a title document that transfers all rights possessed by a lessee or tenant to a property to another party. The assignee takes the assignor’s place in the landlord-tenant relationship.

You can view an example of a lease assignment here .

How Lease Assignment Works

In cases where a tenant wants to or needs to get out of their lease before it expires, lease assignment provides a legal option to assign or transfer rights of the lease to someone else. For instance, if in a commercial lease a business leases a place for 12 months but the business moves or shuts down after 10 months, the person can transfer the lease to someone else through an assignment of the lease. In this case, they will not have to pay rent for the last two months as the new assigned tenant will be responsible for that.

However, before the original tenant can be released of any responsibilities associated with the lease, other requirements need to be satisfied. The landlord needs to consent to the lease transfer through a “License to Assign” document. It is crucial to complete this document before moving on to the assignment of lease as the landlord may refuse to approve the assignment.

Difference Between Assignment of Lease and Subletting

A transfer of the remaining interest in a lease, also known as assignment, is possible when implied rights to assign exist. Some leases do not allow assignment or sharing of possessions or property under a lease. An assignment ensures the complete transfer of the rights to the property from one tenant to another.

The assignor is no longer responsible for rent or utilities and other costs that they might have had under the lease. Here, the assignee becomes the tenant and takes over all responsibilities such as rent. However, unless the assignee is released of all liabilities by the landlord, they remain responsible if the new tenant defaults.

A sublease is a new lease agreement between the tenant (or the sublessor) and a third-party (or the sublessee) for a portion of the lease. The original lease agreement between the landlord and the sublessor (or original tenant) still remains in place. The original tenant still remains responsible for all duties set under the lease.

Here are some key differences between subletting and assigning a lease:

• Under a sublease, the original lease agreement still remains in place.
• The original tenant retains all responsibilities under a sublease agreement.
• A sublease can be for less than all of the property, such as for a room, general area, portion of the leased premises, etc.
• Subleasing can be for a portion of the lease term. For instance, a tenant can sublease the property for a month and then retain it after the third-party completes their month-long sublet.
• Since the sublease agreement is between the tenant and the third-party, rent is often negotiable, based on the term of the sublease and other circumstances.
• The third-party in a sublease agreement does not have a direct relationship with the landlord.
• The subtenant will need to seek consent of both the tenant and the landlord to make any repairs or changes to the property during their sublease.

Here is more on an assignment of lease here .

Parties Involved in Lease Assignment

There are three parties involved in a lease assignment – the landlord or owner of the property, the assignor and the assignee. The original lease agreement is between the landlord and the tenant, or the assignor. The lease agreement outlines the duties and responsibilities of both parties when it comes to renting the property. Now, when the tenant decides to assign the lease to a third-party, the third-party is known as the assignee. The assignee takes on the responsibilities laid under the original lease agreement between the assignor and the landlord. The landlord must consent to the assignment of the lease prior to the assignment.

For example, Jake is renting a commercial property for his business from Paul for two years beginning January 2013 up until January 2015. In January 2014, Jake suffers a financial crisis and has to close down his business to move to a different city. Jake doesn’t want to continue paying rent on the property as he will not be using it for a year left of the lease. Jake’s friend, John would soon be turning his digital business into a brick-and-mortar store. John has been looking for a space to kick start his venture. Jake can assign his space for the rest of the lease term to John through an assignment of lease. Jake will need to seek the approval of his landlord and then begin the assignment process. Here, Jake will be the assignor who transfers all his lease related duties and responsibilities to John, who will be the assignee.

You can read more on lease agreements here .

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Assignment of Lease From Seller to Buyer

In case of a residential property, a landlord can assign his leases to the new buyer of the building. The landlord will assign the right to collect rent to the buyer. This will allow the buyer to collect any and all rent from existing tenants in that property. This assignment can also include the assignment of security deposits, if the parties agree to it. This type of assignment provides protection to the buyer so they can collect rent on the property.

The assignment of a lease from the seller to a buyer also requires that all tenants are made aware of the sale of the property. The buyer-seller should give proper notice to the tenants along with a notice of assignment of lease signed by both the buyer and the seller. Tenants should also be informed about the contact information of the new landlord and the payment methods to be used to pay rent to the new landlord.

You can read more on buyer-seller lease assignments here .

Get Help with an Assignment of Lease

Do you have any questions about a lease assignment and want to speak to an expert? Post a project today on ContractsCounsel and receive bids from real estate lawyers who specialize in lease assignment.

ContractsCounsel is not a law firm, and this post should not be considered and does not contain legal advice. To ensure the information and advice in this post are correct, sufficient, and appropriate for your situation, please consult a licensed attorney. Also, using or accessing ContractsCounsel's site does not create an attorney-client relationship between you and ContractsCounsel.

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Contract to lease land from a church.

I’m planning on leasing land from a church. Putting a gym on the property. And leasing it back to the school.

Ok; first step is that you will need a leasing contract with the church. Ask them to prepare one for you so you would just need an attorney to review the agreement and that should cost less than if you had to be the party to pay a lawyer to draft it from scratch. You need to ensure that the purpose of the lease is clearly stated - that you plan to put a gym on the land so that there are no issues if the church leadership changes. Step 2 - you will need a lease agreement with the school that your leasing it do (hopefully one that is similar to the original one your received from the church). Again, please ensure that all the terms that you discuss and agree to are in the document; including length of time, price and how to resolve disputes if you have one. I hope this is helpful. If you would like me to assist you further, you can contact me on Contracts Counsel and we can discuss a fee for my services. Regards, Donya Ramsay (Gordon)

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• What is an assignment of rents?

by Brian D. Moreno, Esq., CCAL | General Real Estate Law , Homeowners Association

With the collection of assessments, community associations are always looking for creative ways to increase the chance of recovery.  One underutilized remedy that may provide associations good results is an assignment of rents.  If an owner-landlord fails to pay HOA assessments but continues to collect rent payments from his or her tenant, the association should consider rent assignment.  There are prejudgment and post-judgment rent assignment remedies that can be pursued with regard to the delinquency.  A post-judgment rent assignment can be pursued by way of a request to the court after a Judgment is entered against the owner-landlord.

A prejudgment rent assignment can be pursued even before filing a lawsuit if executed properly.  In California, Civil Code Section 2938 regulates the formation and enforcement of the assignment of rents and profits generated by a lease agreement relating to real property.  It provides that “[a] written assignment of an interest in leases, rents, issues, or profits of real property made in connection with an obligation secured by real property. . .shall, upon execution and delivery by the assignor, be effective to create a present security interest in existing and future leases, rents, issues, or profits of that real property. . . .”   Once a written assignment of rents is properly authorized and formed, the law creates a security interest (i.e., lien) against the rents and profits paid by a tenant. 

The question then is whether the association’s CC&Rs, by itself, creates an assignment of the right to a tenant’s rent payment in favor of the association.  Indeed, section 2938(b) provides that the assignment of an interest in leases or rent of real property may be recorded in the same manner as any other conveyance of an interest in real property, whether the assignment is in a separate document or part of a mortgage or deed of trust.  Since a homeowners association’s CC&Rs is a recorded document and contains covenants, equitable servitudes, easements, and other property interests against the development, it follows that the assignment of rents relief provided in Section 2938(b) can be extended to community associations provided the CC&Rs contains an appropriate assignment of rents provision.

Section 2938, however, does not clarify whether the CC&Rs document on its own creates a lien and enforceable assignment right.  Moreover, a deed of trust is much different than a set of CC&Rs, in that the deed of trust creates a lien against the trustor’s property upon recordation, while a homeowners association would not have a lien until an owner becomes delinquent with his or her assessments and the association records an assessment lien against the property.  Therefore, depending on the scope of the assignment of rents provision in the CC&Rs, a homeowners association would likely need to record an assessment lien first before pursuing rents from a tenant.  Moreover, even after a lien is recorded, homeowners associations should consider adding a provision in the assessment lien giving notice to the delinquent owner that an assignment right is in effect upon recordation of the assessment lien.  Nevertheless, association Boards should consult with legal counsel to ensure proper compliance with the law.

Once the assignment right becomes enforceable, the next issue is how the Association can and should proceed.  Section 2938(c)(3) allows the association to serve a pre-lawsuit demand (a sample of which is included in the statute) on the tenant(s), demanding that the tenant(s) turn over all rent payments to the association.  This can be a powerful tool for homeowners associations.  Moreover, if the tenant complies, the association will receive substantial monthly payments that can be applied towards the assessment debt, and collecting the funds does not appear to preclude the association from pursuing judicial or non-judicial foreclosure proceedings at a later time.

While homeowner associations have the option of pursuing a lawsuit against the delinquent owner and seeking to collect the rent payments after a judgment has been obtained, there are obvious advantages to enforcing the assignment of rents provision prior to pursuing litigation.  A pre-lawsuit assignment of rents demand may prove to be more effective and cheaper.  Additionally, the tenant affected by the assignment of rents demand may place additional pressures on the delinquent owner/landlord having received such a demand.  Given this, the options available pursuant to Section 2938, including the pre-lawsuit demand for rents, should at least be considered and analyzed before action is taken.

Truly, the initial pre-lawsuit demand for rents may persuade the landlord-owner to resolve the delinquency with the association in the face of the potential disturbance of the landlord-tenant relationship.  Even if the tenant fails to comply with the demand and/or the owner fails to bring the account current, the association could nonetheless pursue foreclosure remedies and/or seek to have a receiver appointed to specifically enforce the assignment of rents provision.

In sum, if a delinquent homeowner is leasing the property to a tenant, the homeowners association should consider making a pre-lawsuit demand for rent payments.  If the association’s CC&Rs does not contain an assignment of rents provision, the board of directors should consider amending the CC&Rs to include an appropriate provision.  Without question, the pre-lawsuit demand for rents could provide an excellent opportunity for recovery of unpaid assessments during these difficult economic times.

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Assignment of Lease vs. Mortgage of Lease

This article may only be applicable in certain jurisdictions.

When lenders consider their real property security options, their analysis often goes beyond simply taking a mortgage from a debtor who owns real estate. A debtor's interest in real property leases (whether as landlord or tenant) means a lender often obtains either an Assignment of Lease or a Mortgage of Lease as additional security. Like any other specific security agreement, these agreements facilitate the orderly and more effective enforcement of the Lender's security in the underlying debtor asset.

Assignment of Lease

In cases where the debtor owns real property but does not occupy it, the revenue stream from third party leases is a significant asset that should be secured. Although most mortgage standard charge terms include at least a brief paragraph related to assignment of leases, they do not provide the benefit of the more fulsome provisions typically contained in a stand alone specific Assignment of Lease (in cases where there may be a significant tenant) or a general Assignment of Lease (securing all present and future leases without reference to a specific tenant).

The debtor's interest as landlord is secured by registration against title to the debtor's real property, typically immediately following the registration of the mortgage of land. It should be noted that in order to register a specific Assignment of Lease, there first requires the registration of a Notice of Lease in respect of the lease that is being specifically assigned. The Assignment of Lease also has a personal property component that cannot be overlooked. The rents and leases that are secured by the Assignment of Lease fall within the definition of personal property under the personal property security legislation; and as such require the registration of a financing statement against the debtor.

An Assignment of Lease document includes certain generally accepted provisions.

The debtor assigns to the lender (as collateral security for the payment of principal and interest under the mortgage of land) all rents and other monies due to it by tenants and the benefit of all tenant covenants under all current and future leases.

The debtor typically covenants to not collect rent more than one month in advance (to ensure that the normal revenue stream is available to the lender on enforcement) and not amend any material terms of the leases without the lender's approval. In the case of a specific Assignment of Lease, it is prudent to also obtain similar covenants from the tenant itself and an acknowledgement that the tenant will attorn to the Lender in the event of default by the debtor.

The debtor is permitted to continue to collect rent according to the terms of the leases until an event of default occurs pursuant to the mortgage of land, after which the Lender may give notice to the tenants to pay all future rents to the lender directly.

Mortgage of Lease

In cases where the debtor does not own real estate but rents space instead, the right to occupy the premises may be a key asset of the debtor that is secured. Although it is typical that a general security agreement includes a reference to leasehold interests in the description of the charged collateral, the general security agreement does not provide the benefit of the more complete language in a stand alone specific Mortgage of Lease document.

The debtor's interest as tenant is secured by registration against title to the debtor's leasehold interest in the real property. This requires the prior registration of a Notice of Lease in respect of the lease that is being secured.

It should be noted that if there is a real property mortgage on title granted by the owner/landlord to another lender prior to the lease, and if the tenant/debtor or tenant's lender has not obtained a non-disturbance agreement from the owner/landlord, the Mortgage of Lease will be no better security than the lease itself (i.e., subject to being terminated at the option of the prior mortgagee in the event of default under the real property mortgage). Most leases will contain a prohibition against mortgaging the lease, so it will be necessary to obtain the landlord's consent to a Mortgage of Lease.

A Mortgage of Lease document typically contains some basic standard provisions.

As in a mortgage of land, the Mortgage of Lease specifies a principal amount, interest rate, payment dates, and contains charging language whereby the debtor's leasehold interest is security for payment of the principal and interest.

Similarly, in the event of default, the lender has the ability to exercise a power of sale and sublease or assign the leasehold interest to a third party.

The debtor covenants to not pay rent more than one month in advance, to not amend any material terms of the leases without the lender's approval, to not terminate or surrender the term of the lease and to hold possession of the premises in trust for the lender.

Most lender mortgage standard charge terms contain flexible language that contemplates use of the terms for both cases where the chargor owns a freehold interest in the property or a leasehold interest in the property.

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Assignment Of Rents In Alberta

When people buy a home, or even after they owned their home for some time, they sometimes see an assignment of rents registered on the title to their property. While this raises concerns for many people, a registers assignment of rents remains a normal part of many real estate transactions. Keep reading to learn, the details of these registrations. In the event that you have further questions, please reach out to us. With offices in both Calgary and Edmonton, Kahane Law Office offers full support for all your real estate law needs.

What Is An Assignment Of Rents

An assignment of rents is a document registerable at the Alberta Land Titles Office. Its purpose is to allow a bank or mortgage lender to collect rents in the event a landlord / property owner fails to make their mortgage payments. Essentially, the lender serves notice on the tenants. The notice tells them that the borrower failed to make their mortgage payments. The tenant must then pay their regular rent payment to the lender directly. A tenant only has the requirement to pay, if the assignment is registered on title and they receive notice. Failure to make the payments to the lender then cause legal and financial consequences for the tenant.

When Lenders Use Assignment Of Rents Used

Several situations arise for when lenders require assignment of rents. For example, in almost every situation where a lender lends money for a mortgage on a rental property , the lender requires one. Next, private lenders lending money on a principal residence frequently require one, in the event that the owner decides to rent out the property. A private lender is an individual or smaller company that lends funds privately. These often make up loans to individuals not able to qualify with a regular mortgage lender. Lastly, many lenders lending on commercial transactions require an assignment of rents. If you want to know if your lender requires one, then simply ask. Your banker or mortgage broker has the ability to find out if your situation requires one.

The Cost Of An Assignment Of Rents

The costs associated with an assignment of rents include two components. Firstly, the lawyer drafting the assignment of rents for the lender charges a fee for this service. With almost all lenders, the costs of the lender’s lawyer fees are paid by the borrower. Often the cost for the preparation of this document is about $200 to $400. Next, the second part of the cost involves the land title fee for the document registration. While land title fees change, the cost is currently under $50. Remember, if your property is made up of more than one title, such as a condominium unit with a separate title parking stall, a registration fee applies to all titles with the mortgage.

Discharging The Registered Document

When a person sells a house, or payout out a mortgage, a discharge of the assignments is required. The process for discharging the assignment of rents is usually simple. In most cases, it “falls off” when the mortgage that it is for is discharged. In the event that land titles leaves it on title, the discharge process remains simple. Often a letter or request to discharge works to remove it. Again, this simple removal process only exists if the associated mortgage no longer appears on title. If the mortgage remains on title, then the discharge requires the consent of the lender to ensure they remain protected.

Risks To Buyers

The risk to a buyer of a property with an assignment of rents on title is nominal. In essence, the registration should be removed then the seller’s lawyer discharge their mortgage. Your lawyer ask the lawyer for an undertaking (a lawyer promise binding on the lawyer) to discharge it. If the lawyers forget about it and land title accidentally leaves it on, then the buyer needs to see to its removal. As above, the process for removing it is easy and very low cost in most situations. This is not a registration on title that raises any red flags for a buyer.

How Alberta Lawyers Help With Assignment Of Rents

Understanding real estate law is an important aspect of home ownership. The real estate lawyers at Kahane Law Office help with assignment of rents in many ways. For example, we assist clients with:

• Drafting assignment of rents;
• Reviewing registrations (including these ones) on title with clients;
• Helping lenders (mainstream and private) with mortgages requiring these registrations;
• Discharging the registration from the land title to a property; and lastly
• Serving notice and collecting on the assignment when a borrower fails to make payment.

Help With Assignment Of Rents

Our team of real estate lawyers and real estate litigation lawyers help clients with all aspects of assignment of rents. If you are a borrower or lender, call and we provide you with the assistance you need. Kahane Law Office prides itself in it exceptional level of client service and explains all aspects to you so you understand your specific situation. If you are in the Calgary and surrounding area, please call 403-225-8810 . Alternatively, if you live in the Edmonton or surrounding area, please reach us at 780-571-8463 . Lastly, while we enjoy phone calls with clients, email often makes the initial contact easier. It allows us to provide you with more information quicker. Please use this email to connect today.